July 4th Activities To Halt DCA Ops

The FAA is temporarily suspending operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on July 4 to accommodate planned flyovers and fireworks, the agency announced. The White House is incorporating changes to this year’s July 4 celebration to include a speech by President Trump at the Lincoln Memorial that will be accompanied by a military flyover. As a result of the flyover, operations will be halted at DCA from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., the FAA said.

Operations also will be affected from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. for the fireworks demonstration, the agency added. Fireworks traditionally have been set off near the Lincoln Memorial but are moving to West Potomac Park—and closer to the DCA flight patterns—in light of the planned speech.

Aeromedical and emergency flights will be authorized as necessary, the agency said, adding operations at other nearby commercial airports, including Baltimore Washington International (BWI) and Washington Dulles International (IAD), will not be affected.

As it plans for the changes in this year’s celebrations in Washington, the agency also renewed its warnings against flying drones near fireworks or near airports, as well as against pointing lasers at aircraft. The FAA further reminded the general traveling public that fireworks are not permitted either in carry-on or checked baggage.